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Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Hi, I have just joined. I have a few mental illnesses, but am especially interested in hearing if there are any diagnosed germophobes or people with hoarding disorder on these forums?

I don't know any germophobes in real life, and would be interested to know how any of you pre-Corona germophobes are doing. Can you find enough sanitiser? If not, what are you using instead? Has your germophobia gone sky-high in this pandemic? Do you find it less or more lonely now that nearly everyone is a self-confessed germophobe?

My germophobia is quite bad - I can't have anyone in my house, and need lots of sanitiser when I go out. E.g. I use it after leaving my house and before I get in the car; again before I touch the steering wheel, again after touching my purse, again before putting my seat belt on, etc. I am struggling to find enough sanitiser. If I run out, I was thinking about diluting some disinfectant and putting it into an old water bottle to take out with me. I had one really bad panic lasting 3 days that was debilitating, due to COVID-19, but after that thankfully my germophobia came back down to normal levels. I guess normal levels are not that great but at least I am used to them!

I am strangely finding it more lonely as a diagnosed germophobe now, and would really like to meet some other germophobes online and hear how you're going. At least I had a friend tell me that I was in a stronger position than him, during this health crisis, as he had trouble remembering to wash his hands, whereas I wash them a hundred times a day already!

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In response to: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?


@outlander wrote:
Trust me you arent burdening me at all!. if i didnt feel i could support you then i wouldnt have posted and asked how you are.

Yes, I guess that's true. @outlander

I edited my post above to add that my bad anxiety has been about offline stuff...not about the forums. My overwhelm is partly due to the forums, but that's because I am still learning how to manage my time here. Plus I get overwhelmed pretty easily 🙂

Thanks for your kind words, I appreciate them. And yes please, sharing some of your strategies for overwhelm would be good, thank you 🙂

In response to: Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

thats ok @NatureLover

its hard when offline stuff pops up too hey. it also takes time to learn to manage here too. when i first become a CG im not sure i was ever offline trying to make sure i was doing the right thing and filling all my duties. ive learnt now that i can still do all that but by focussing on a few specific things (sometimes that focus will shift to another role and then revert back) it takes time so dont be to hard on yourself. if your ever finding a specific thread overwhelming you can tag some other members as well for advice or the moderator and take a step back.

so i guess i just kinds shared some of the things i do to stop the overwhelm here. As for offline i try to immerse myself in something else like baking, watching a tv show that i like, listening to music, colouring in. Sans911 taught me about making a worry box- super easy. you just have a little box and on individual pieces of paper write each of the things you are worried about and put them in there.
its like getting your worries out and storing them somewhere for the time being-putting it to the side.
i dont journal anymore but that might help you

In response to: Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Thank you @outlander , I appreciate your wisdom and advice. The worry box sounds like a great idea - I haven't heard of it before. And yes, I have been journalling to try and sort stuff out in my head.

Thanks for your encouragement, too 🙂

I get the feeling you're not wanting to share how you are at the moment...maybe you can't according to the guidelines. We are all here for if and when you feel ready. Really hope you will be OK soon.

In response to: Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

your welcome @NatureLover
happy to help whenever you need

thanks for the offer but i dont really want to talk about me. im struggling to be anywhere atm so i think i would rather spend the time being here just among friends and helping if i can.

In response to: Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?


@outlander wrote:
thanks for the offer but i dont really want to talk about me. im struggling to be anywhere atm so i think i would rather spend the time being here just among friends and helping if i can.

OK, I understand. Well you've helped me this evening, so thank you @outlander .

I'm going to sign off for the night...

Really hope you can get some sleep. @outlander

In response to: Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

thank you @NatureLover its been good catching up with you tonight. i hope you can settle and get some sort of sleep too

In response to: Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

@NatureLover Dropping off some support and understanding.💜💜💜

You are really doing a good job online. I get the tricky stuff. Take care.

@outlander 💞💞💞

In response to: Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Thank you, @Maggie ❤ for your support and understanding, I really appreciate it.

In response to: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

hi @NatureLover just wanted to see how you are going?

In response to: Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Aww, thank you, @outlander , you're so lovely! ❤

I'm doing OK thanks, my anxiety is at a simmer not a boil mostly. Also I've been less overwhelmed online the last few days. I've been doing a lot of journalling about my offline problems which has helped. I've also asked for an earlier appointment with my psychologist if she has a cancellation.

I hardly dare ask how you're doing...I think maybe you're still not wanting to talk about yourself? But I'm ready to listen if and when you are.

Did you manage to catch that night time counsellor you sometimes speak to last night?

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